Outdoor cooking is back in vogue. The benefits and delights of preparing food outside have proven to be an irresistible draw. Consequently, many people are taking the plunge and exploring beyond the traditional barbecue. This departure from the norm has lead to more interest in woodfired pizza ovens.
Woodfired pizza ovens are hardly a new concept. They have been in use in one way or another since the time of the Romans. While their popularity waned a little, they are experiencing a major comeback in recent times. Therefore, seeing one in a private backyard is just as likely as finding it in your favourite specialty pizza restaurant.
There are a few reasons why woodfired pizza ovens have become a must-have. Chief among them is the variety of foods you can make in one. These foods, in turn, usually have a depth of flavour drawn from the burning wood and resultant smoke that is a feast for the senses. What’s more, they are easy to install, affordable and low maintenance. With so many benefits, there is no doubt that getting a woodfired pizza oven is an excellent idea.
Now that you are set on acquiring one, here are a few tips for choosing your woodfired pizza oven.
Consider Your Space
Woodfired pizza ovens are not one size fits all. Like most home appliances, they come in a range of sizes to suit varying spaces. Therefore, before you go out to make your order, take a close look at the area where you plan to install the oven. Measure its dimensions carefully and try to visualise how the oven will affect movement within that space. Moreover, it is crucial to remember that there are spacing requirements to take into account. They dictate the ideal distances between the oven and other objects to maintain optimum safety conditions.
Think About Its Primary Use
This warning may sound odd; after all, it’s a pizza oven. So, of course, you’ll be using it to make pizzas. However, there is more to it than that. The materials used to make the ovens play a vital role in the types of food you can successfully make in them. Metal ovens are ideal for quick cooking since they get up to temperature very fast.
In contrast, a brick oven may be a better choice if you do more slow cooking like bread baking. It takes longer to heat up but retains the heat long after you’ve extinguished the fire. That is perfect for slower cooking.
Look at Additional Features
Pizza ovens can offer more beyond a great tool with which to make pizzas, bake and roast. Different models can have additional features which may make using your oven easier. For example, some offer better temperature control by virtue of their design and the materials used to make them. Generally, most pizza ovens are easy to clean, so you don’t have to worry about the logistics of clearing up after you are done with it.
The takeaway from this is that your choice of woodfired pizza oven is dictated by your preferences and whatever extras you can get in any one model.
Look at The Capacity
Just like size matters when it comes to the space available, it also determines how much food you can fit inside at one time. Consequently, your ability to prepare multiple recipes or bake more than one pizza at once can be affected by the capacity and size of your oven. If you plan to be making large meals and often, you have two options. You can get a larger size oven. If that is not possible for any reason, you may also adapt by planning ahead and learning how to stagger cooking times to get the same results.
How Will You Install It?
Installing a woodfired pizza oven is not always as difficult as it may seem. In fact, there are some models which are offered as kits with detailed instructions. Therefore, if you are up for a little DIY project and have the drive to take on the process, why not go for it? After all, it can only be good for your pockets as you save on the cost of hiring a professional.
On the other hand, if you want to ensure that your oven is installed correctly, hiring an expert is the best path to take. In most cases, it is always wise to consult one anyway for advice on things you can easily miss.
Use these tips as a handy guide to help you get the woodfired pizza oven that is best for you. As always, an expert’s input will not be amiss, so don’t hesitate to contact your local heating professionals for more information about choosing, buying and installing a pizza oven. With their help, you’ll soon be gathering your family around to delve into the wonderful world of homemade pizza.